Context:Iran launched missile and drone attacks in Iraq, Syria and Pakistan.
Why has Iran launched the strikes?
Iranian security personnel were killed in Rask, a town closer to the Pakistan border, by Jaish al-Adl (the Army of Justice) militant group in December 2023. Iran carried out a surprise attack in Panjur, a border town in Pakistan’s Balochistan.
Syria’s (Daesh terrorist group) suicide bombers struck crowds gathered near the tomb of the revered IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) general Qasem Soleimani in Kerman (city in Iran) in January 2024. In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles into Syria’s Idlib region.
In Iraq, the IRGC claimed responsibility for targeting an alleged Israeli facility. Iran launched a missile strike into Erbil, resulting in the destruction of Mossad's (Israel's external security agency) spy headquarters in the Kurdistan region. The attack is purportedly a response to recent Israeli actions, including the assassination of Iranian and pro-Iranian commanders.
Key facts for Prelims:
Jaish al-Adl, or the “Army of Justice”, is a Sunni militant group founded in 2012 that largely operates in Pakistan.
Daesh (also known as ISIL, Islamic State, or ISIS) is a terrorist group operating in Syria.
The Houthis, ‘Supporters of God', is a Shia Islamist political and military organization that emerged from Yemen in the 1990s and backed by Iran.
Places in news: Erbil, Kurdish region, Kerman, Idlib.
Context: The government of India signed an agreement with Government of Israel for 10,000 temporary jobs on offer in Israel’s construction. Now this news article delves upon the outgoing debates related to the issue of migration of workers in war-affected Israel.
Background
In November 2023, a little less than a month after Israel began attacks on Gaza, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed a three-year agreement with the Israeli government on the ‘Facilitation of the Temporary Employment of Indian Workers in Specific Labour Market Sectors (Construction and Caregiving) in the State of Israel’.
In December, after a meeting between the Indian government agency National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Israeli government agency Population, Immigration and Border Authority (PIBA), the U.P. government put out advertisements for the 10,000 jobs in Israel.
Jobs on offer
3,000 positions for a shuttering carpenter; 3,000 for iron bending; 2,000 for ceramic tiling; 2,000 for plastering
Salary and age eligibility - approximately between ₹1,36,000 and ₹1,37,000 per month, for Indian citizens between 21 and 45 years.
Agencies
NSDC is facilitating recruitment, primarily in the U.P. and Haryana.
Officials from NSDC are managing the logistics, while representatives from PIBA conduct tests.
Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Lucknow is designated as the nodal centre for conducting the skill screening test in U.P.
High number of Applicants
Most of the applicants belong to the bottom of the social and economic pyramid; for ex - Dalits, marginal farmers and Economic weaker sections.
High salary on offer seems to be lucrative as they hardly manage to get Rs 8000-10000 per month here in India.
Concerns
Trade Unions and Activists are criticizing the Idea of the Government to willfully send its citizens to war zones.
There are concerns about their safety and security as around 100 foreign workers have already lost their lives in Israel.
Activists also argue that foreign workers are mistreated and cost of living in Israel is three times higher than that of India. So, they suggest to analyse these facts before making any decision.
Larger Issues
Sending workers in war zone explodes our claims to provide meaningful employment at home.
Events like these also highlight huge wage differences in countries like India and developed countries like Israel.
Government's Stand
The NSDC brochure assures candidates they will be employed by a company in Israel.
NSDC says that “Strict measures are in place to safeguard residents and employees during periods of heightened tension.”
Further, they substantiate their argument with the fact that, out of 18,000 Indian citizens in Israel, only 1300 opted to return to India when conflict broke out.
Way Ahead
Considering high living cost and safety negotiating proper wages along with ensuring security should be short-term plan.
While in long run GOI should work on creating meaningful jobs at home with justifiable levels of wages for the workers.
Context: Researchers from various countries are collaborating on projects analyzing the current condition of the Antarctic Sea and monitoring the species inhabiting the region, during the X Antarctic Expedition aboard the Colombian research vessel.
Gerlache strait
Location: Gerlache Strait or de Gerlache Strait is a channel/strait separating the Palmer Archipelago from the Antarctic Peninsula.
Antarctic Expedition
The primary focus of the X Antarctic Expedition lies in the analysis of the Antarctic sea’s current conditions, atmospheric pressure studies, and the monitoring of species that inhabit the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding areas.
The researchers are taking underwater samples, analyzing greenhouse gas flows, and utilizing machine learning techniques to model Antarctic ecosystems.
Each project serves to advance the understanding of global warming and its effects on the continent.
Humpback whale
Humpback whale, a baleen whale known for its elaborate courtship songs and displays.
Humpbacks usually range from 12 to 16 meters in length and weigh approximately 36 metric tons.
Humpback whales live along the coasts of all oceans, occasionally swimming close to shore, even into harbours and rivers.
They undertake long migrations between polar feeding grounds in summer and tropical or subtropical breeding grounds in winter. (Feeding in polar areas and breeding in Subtropical areas).
The humpback whale produces a series of repetitious sounds at varying frequencies known as whale song.Male humpback whales perform these vocalizations often during the mating season, and so it is believed the purpose of songs is to aid mate selection.
Context:To counter rising terror activities in border Rajouri and Pooch districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army launched ‘Operation Sarvashakti’, where terrorists operating on both sides of Pir-Panjal Mountain ranges will be targeted.
In 2023, there were three major attacks on the security forces, and in the last few years, 20 soldiers have been killed in terrorist attacks in the area. As per the reports, most of the terrorists are believed to be foreigners.
About Operation Sarvashakti:
Forces will be deployed on both sides of the Pir Panjal range to target terrorists.
As part of the operation, additional troops from at least three brigades are being deployed in the sector from various reserve and strike corps. This is done to increase the density of troops in the area.
Troops of Srinagar-based 15, Chinar corps and Nagrota-based 16, White knight corps (a town in Jammu) will be operating simultaneously with other agencies and paramilitary forces.
Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, Special Operations Group, and intelligence agencies will be collaborating closely.
The operation is being closely monitored by Army Headquarters and Northern Army Command in Udhampur.
Motto: To counteract the resurgence of terrorism sponsored by Pakistani proxy groups and to focus on locating the terrorists’ hideouts in the dense forests, mountains and caves in the area.
Need:
Pakistan supports and harbours terrorist groups that operate against India.
Terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), have been involved in attacks against the Indian security forces and civilians.
Despite a significant decline in Terrorists activities since 2003, there is a recent resurgence, which prompts coordinated efforts to address the threat.
Operation Sarvashakti is launched on the lines of ‘Operation Sarpvinash’ of 2003.
About Operation Sarpvinash:
From April 2003, the army carried out its biggest counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
This was launched to eliminate terrorists who had infiltrated from across the border and set up camps in the thick forests south of the Pir Panjal range.
Around 10,000 troops under the 15 Corps and 16 Corps were involved in the operation.
Outcome:
Eliminated terrorists and brought peace to the area that lasted until 2017-18.
About 100 terrorists were killed in the operation.
Large number of weapons of various kinds, dumps of explosives, and stores including medicines, and communication equipment were recovered.
Some 40-50 terrorist hideouts were demolished.
Need of ‘Operation Sarpvinash’:
In the aftermath of the December 13, 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Parakram, a massive mobilisation exercise on the border with Pakistan.
In early 2003, sources suggested that more than 300 foreign terrorists had infiltrated across the Line of Control (LoC) and established hideout camps and a communication network.
These terrorists belonging to several Pakistan-based outfits, had created a demilitarised zone in the region.
Why is the region being constantly targeted?
Areas south of Mendhar, which leads to the Pir Panjal ranges through Hilkaka, are one of the shortest routes of access for infiltrators across the LoC into the Kashmir Valley. Dense forests and steep mountain slopes in the region provide adequate cover.
In 2018, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 2,936 cases of ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Approximately 40 percent of the cases took place in Poonch district, particularly in Kerni and Krishna Ghati sectors and about 35 per cent took place in the Rajouri sector.
Pakistan targets the region because of two key reasons:
Two main roads of the state pass through this region, Jammu-Srinagar highway and the road from Jammu to Poonch, which connects to Mughal Road between Poonch and Shopian in the Valley via Pir Panjal Pass.
It’s a strategic corridor, and if hit, it can significantly impact not just the security establishment but also the local population.
There is also a demographic factor at play here, as the population of Hindus increases as one goes southwards.
These border districts do have a high Muslim population, but experts point out that there are social and cultural differences between them and the Muslims of the Kashmir Valley.
Muslims in this region belong to Gujjar and Bakerwal nomadic communities, and have traditionally drawn less sympathy and attention from the Pakistani establishment than the Muslims of the Valley.
Problems in these areas could be traced back to the 1948 war between India and Pakistan, where forces sponsored by the latter suffered losses.
History also points out the strategic importance of the Chamb area, which was invaded by the Pakistan Army during both the 1965 and 1971 wars.However, the troops were stopped at the Tawi river by the Indian Army. If the Pakistani troops crossed the river, they could have taken Akhnoor and would have been able to disconnect Kashmir from Jammu and the rest of India.
The turmoil in these areas began after 1993, when there was a consensus among the Pakistan establishment to extend terror to these lower areas.
Context:Karpoori Thakur, former Chief Minister of Bihar, was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.
More information:
Recognized as a socialist icon, Thakur gained prominence for his dedicated efforts to uplift the backward classes in Bihar.
During the Quit India Movement, he faced imprisonment alongside other freedom fighters, consistently striving to oust the British colonial rulers.
Notably, he played a pioneering role in implementing the recommendations of the MungeriLal Commission during his tenure as Bihar CM from 1977 to 1979, ensuring reservation benefits for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Awards given by Government of India:
About Bharat Ratna:
The designation ‘Bharat Ratna,’ which translates to 'Jewel of India,' signifies the highest civilian honour presented by the Republic of India.
Established in 1954, the Bharat Ratna is granted to extraordinary individuals who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments.
Originally focused on recognizing achievements in art, science, literature, and public service, the criteria underwent an expansion in December 2011 to encompass excellence in 'any field of human endeavour.'
Selection process:
Recommendations for the award can only be made by the Prime Minister to the President, with a maximum of three nominees honoured annually.
In 1999, an exception saw four individuals receiving the honour.
Although no monetary reward accompanies the honour, recipients receive a unique Peepal-leaf shaped medal and a certificate known as a ‘Sanad.’
In the hierarchy of the Indian Order of Precedence, Bharat Ratna recipients hold the seventh rank.
The usage of the title 'Bharat Ratna' as a prefix or suffix is exempt from Article 18(1) of the Constitution, as established by the Supreme Court's precedent in Balaji Raghavan/S.P. Anand v. Union of India in 1995.
The first recipients in 1954 included C. Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of the Dominion of India; Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President and first Vice President of India; and Nobel Prize Laureate and Physicist C. V. Raman.
Originally, the statutes did not allow for posthumous awards, but in January 1955, amendments were made to permit them.
The first posthumous honouree was former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Despite typically being conferred upon India-born citizens, notable exceptions include Mother Teresa, a naturalized citizen, and non-Indians such as Abdul Ghaffar Khan (originally from British India, later a citizen of Pakistan) and Nelson Mandela, a citizen of South Africa.
The Bharat Ratna, along with other personal civil honours, faced brief suspensions during the periods of July 1977 to January 1980 and August 1992 to December 1995, due to changes in the national government and legal challenges to their constitutional validity.
In 1992, controversy arose over the posthumous award to Subhas Chandra Bose, leading to a cancellation following a Supreme Court decision in 1997, a unique instance where the award was announced but not conferred.
Recipients whose awards have been revoked must surrender their medals, and their names are struck from the register.
There is no Bharat Ratna Award winners list for 2020 and 2021.
Several special entitlements:
The medallion and its miniature counterpart.
A Sanad (certificate) signed by the President of India.
Treatment as a state guest by state governments when traveling within a state.
Assistance from Indian missions abroad upon request.
Eligibility for a diplomatic passport.
Lifetime complimentary executive class travel on Air India.
Occupying the seventh position in the Indian order of precedence.
About Padma Awards:
Padma Awards were established in 1954 to recognize and honour individuals for their outstanding contributions in various fields such as Sports, Art, Social work, Civil Service, Literature and Education, Public Affairs, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, among others.
The awardees are announced annually on Republic Day, celebrating their exceptional services.
Despite being consistently awarded each year, there were three exceptions: in 1977, 1980, and the period between 1993 and 1997.
Specific rules govern the conferment of Padma awards, including a waiting period of five or more years for recipients to be eligible for a higher degree of award after their last conferment.
Posthumous awards are rare but can be considered in exceptional cases, and there must be a notable element of public service in the achievements of the individual.
The Padma Awards are categorized into three levels by the Government of India:
Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service (Second Degree Honour).
Padma Bhushan: Recognizing distinguished service of a high order (Third Degree Honour).
Padma Shri: Conferred for distinguished service (Fourth Degree Honour).
Padma Vibhushan:
This is the second-highest civilian award in India, bestowed in recognition of exceptional and distinguished service.
Recipients receive a citation certificate and a medal featuring a lotus flower in the centre, with the words ‘Desh Seva’ embossed on the obverse.
Padma Bhushan:
As the third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan is given to individuals who have contributed significantly to India's reputation on the global stage.
The award is conferred in a ceremonial event held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, conducted by the President of India.
Padma Shri:
This is the fourth-highest civilian award, presented by the Government of India to individuals who have made distinguished contributions in various fields.
Recipients do not receive a cash prize but are honoured with a certificate and a medallion featuring a three-leafed flower on one side and the words Padma (lotus) and Shri (Mr. or Ms.) in Devanagari script on the obverse.
Note:
It is noteworthy that government servants, except doctors and scientists, working in public sector undertakings (PSUs), are not eligible for these awards.
Context: A yearlong celebration on the occasion of 150 years of IMD, will begin on 15th January 2024 and conclude on 15th January 2025. A logo commemorating 150 years of IMD will be unveiled by Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
History of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD):
In 1864, two formidable cyclones wreaked havoc in India, with one hitting Kolkata and the other striking the Andhra coast, causing the loss of more than one lakh lives.
The Kolkata cyclone alone claimed an estimated 80,000 lives, marking it as one of the most destructive events at that time.
Subsequently, in 1866, India faced severe drought and famine, leading to malnutrition and starvation among the population.
While such calamities were not uncommon in 19th-century India, the severity of these events exposed the absence of a systematic approach to monitor atmospheric parameters and predict changes.
These circumstances catalysed the establishment of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which celebrates its 150th anniversary on January 15, 2024.
Evolution of Meteorological observations (1850s-1875):
The British East India Company established meteorological observatories in Calcutta (1785) and Madras (1796).
The Asiatic Society of Bengal, founded in 1784, played a key role in promoting meteorological studies.
Captain Harry Piddington coined the term ‘cyclone’ in the mid-19th century.
On January 15, 1875, the IMD officially commenced operations, employing Englishman HF Blanford as the Imperial Meteorological Reporter.
Organization:
Headed by the Director General of Meteorology, the IMD operates through six Regional Meteorological Centres located in Chennai, Guwahati, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, and New Delhi.
These centres focus on various functions, ranging from surface observations to processing satellite data and seismic monitoring.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), is an agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Developed into a comprehensive organization:
Over the years, the IMD has evolved into a comprehensive organization, managing numerous permanent observatories and thousands of automatic weather stations nationwide.
While weather forecasting remains its core function, the IMD now extends its services to encompass a variety of specialized areas, providing crucial inputs for activities ranging from general elections and examinations to sporting events and space launches.
Integral role:
The IMD's influence is evident across several sectors, including agriculture, railways, airways, shipping, power plants, and water management agencies.
In the telegraph age, it made extensive use of weather telegrams for collecting observational data and sending warnings.
Later IMD became the first organisation in India to have a message switching computer for supporting its global data exchange.
India was the first developing country in the world to have its own geostationary satellite, INSAT, for continuous weather monitoring of this part of the globe and particularly for cyclone warning.
Recent additions to IMD's portfolio include services for organizing major events, such as general elections. Notably, IMD's expertise is sought by the Election Commission of India for deciding election dates.
The IMD has also played a crucial role in predicting favourable weather conditions for significant events, such as the launch of India's first moon mission, Chandrayaan-1, in 2008.
The monsoon system, inherently complex, has become more erratic and difficult to predict. Despite these challenges, the last 15 years have witnessed significant improvements in IMD's capabilities, evident in more accurate forecasts.
The IMD's dedication to preventing the recurrence of disasters, such as the 1999 Odisha super cyclone, has led to substantial investments in time, manpower, and technology.
The IMD holds immense significance by directly supporting the farming community through accurate monsoon predictions and aiding disaster management with timely forecasts of extreme weather events.
It is a key player in offering precise weather predictions, studying climate change effects in India, and contributing to various nation-building activities.
Recent Initiatives:
Introduced by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Mausam app enhances the dissemination of weather forecasts and warnings, providing accessible weather information to the general public.
IMD has commissioned ten indigenously built X-Band Doppler Weather Radars, designed and developed by ISRO. These radars, strategically placed over the Himalayas, monitor atmospheric variations and extreme weather events, offering timely forecasts and warnings for disaster preparedness.
Launched in 2012, the National Monsoon mission aims to develop a cutting-edge dynamical prediction system for monsoon rainfall on different time scales, fostering partnerships between Indian and foreign institutes.
While celebrating its 150th anniversary, the IMD continues its commitment to advancing meteorology in India. The emphasis on understanding and predicting the monsoon remains a core objective, driven by advancements in technology, investments in personnel, and a dedication to preventing disasters.
Context: The Supreme Court on January 11 questioned the government on whether the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) had considered the reports of the court-appointed Technical Experts Committee (TEC) on the biosafety of transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11 before approving it for environmental release.
GM Crops:
A crop which has gene artificially inserted into it from another species to give it some desired properties like pest resistance, longer shelf life, herbicide tolerance etc. For e.g. - Golden rice.
Golden Rice is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene (provitamin A, a plant pigment that the body converts into vitamin A as needed). This compound is what gives this grain its yellow-orange or golden colour, hence its name.
Golden Rice is developed through genetic engineering. While ordinary rice does produce beta carotene, it is not found in the grain. Thus, scientists used genetic engineering to add the compound to the grain - a minor tweak that improved the grain’s nutritive value. The beta carotene in Golden Rice, which was made possible by the addition of two new enzymes, is identical to the beta-carotene found in green leafy and yellow-coloured vegetables, orange-coloured fruit, and even in many vitamin supplements and food ingredients.
Like ordinary rice, Golden Rice does not require any special cultivation practices, and generally has the same yield and agronomic performance.
How does genetic modification work? Genetic modification of plants involves adding a specific stretch of DNA into the plant’s genome, giving it new or different characteristics.
The first stage in making a GM plant requires transfer of DNA into a plant cell.
One of the methods used to transfer DNA is to coat the surface of small metal particles with the relevant DNA fragment, and bombard the particles into the plant cells.
Another method is to use a bacterium or virus. There are many viruses and bacteria that transfer their DNA into a host cell as a normal part of their life cycle. For GM plants, the bacterium most frequently used is called Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The gene of interest is transferred into the bacterium and the bacterial cells then transfer the new DNA to the genome of the plant cells.
The plant cells that have successfully taken up the DNA are then grown to create a new plant.
Taking practical e.g. of Papaya
Status of GM Crops in India:
Bt cotton is the only genetically modified (GM) crop that has been approved for commercial cultivation in 2002 by the Government of India.
However, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, in its report on ‘Genetically modified crops and its impact on environment’, submitted to parliament, recommended that GM crops should be introduced in the country only after critical scientific evaluation of its benefit and safety.
No GM food crop has ever been approved for commercial cultivation in the country. However, confined field trials have been allowed for at least 20 GM crops. That includes varieties of GM rice which would have improved resistance to insects and diseases, as well as hybrid seed production and nutritional enhancements such as golden rice
Bt Brinjal resistant to brinjal shoot fly was approved by GEAC in 2009 but due to 10 years moratorium imposed on GM crops by the Technical Expert Committee (TEC) appointed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, no further action on commercialization has been taken. Recently the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), MoEF&CC, Govt. of India has again allowed biosafety research field trials of two new transgenic varieties of indigenously developed Bt Brinjal in eight states during 2020-23.
GM rice: Government of India has not approved commercial cultivation of genetically Modified (GM) rice and wheat in the country.
GM Mustard: GEAC has again cleared the proposal for commercial cultivation of GM mustard. It gave necessary approvals for the cultivation of GM mustard. This will be the second GM crop after GM cotton that can be commercially cultivated in the country now.
GEAC:
GEAC in India was set up to regulate & monitor GM crop production, and usage in the country.
It has been set up under the Ministry for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. According to the 1986 rules on genetically engineered organisms.
The main function of the statutory body is to regulate the use, manufacture, storage, import, and export of hazardous organisms, genetically engineered organisms and cells in India.
Thus, GEAC must approve commercial production of GM crops in the country for any of them to be used.
Cultivation of unapproved GM crop is punishable offence:
The Environment Protection Act, 1989 makes use of the unapproved GM crops a punishable offence attracting a penalty up to Rs. 1 Lakh and imprisonment for a term of five years.
States have been asked to strengthen Biotechnology Coordination Committees and District Level Committees to monitor the illegal cultivation as well as take necessary action.
MERITS of GM Crops:
ISSUES associated with GM crops:
Food security: Since 1996, biotech GM crops have contributed to food and feed security by increased productivity.
Gene flow: The transgene can be transferred from the GM crops to the sexually compatible species and can impact environment by production of hybrids.
Better income levels: Higher productivity gives farmers better chances to realise greater incomes and economic gains.
Non target effects: For e.g. effect of Bt toxin on monarch butterfly larvae. When the leaves of Bt maize were consumed by the monarch butterfly larvae it was a potential hazard to them.
Good alternative to decreasing land resources: The increasing population has led to decrease in arable land and shelter, which has led to exploitation of several natural habitats but GM crops has increased the production thereby will help in conserving the biodiversity by stopping the anthropogenic activities.
Effect on biodiversity: herbicide resistant GM crops may lead to reduction in number of weed species thereby reducing the weed diversity in the GM and neighbouring fields.
Integration with other farm practices: GM crops eliminate the necessity of pre-emergence spraying, thus zero tilling or minimum tilling can be integrated with these crops.
Effects on soil ecosystem: Bt toxin enters soil through the residues incorporated after the crop is harvested. Twenty-five fields in the Vardha region of India were selected to study effect of Bt-cotton. In these fields, 8-9% decline in carbon biomass and nitrogen biomass was recorded.
Soil and biodiversity conservation: It can lead to reduced soil erosion and conservation of soil microfauna and flora. Various studies have revealed that use of biotech crops in the last two decades has reduced the environmental footprints from agriculture.
Formation of superweeds: Continuous cultivation of GM crops may lead to the creation of superweeds because the weeds may evolve and may develop resistance to herbicide, creating a trouble to the farmers.
Crop protection: Weed control using GM technology enables control of some herbicide resistant biotypes, like black grass. The use of genetically engineered insect resistant crops has also reduced the use of chemical insecticides.
Fighting climate change: Biotech crops have helped in mitigating challenges associated with climate changes like drought tolerant maize was released in 2013.
Context: The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has finalised guidelines to prevent deceptive or unsubstantiated environment-related claims by brands in advertising. Thus, checking claims of greenwashing.
Need for Such Regulation
The need for regulations, such as those now ASCI has brought, arises due to practices like greenwashing.
Greenwashing involves making false or misleading environmental claims about products, services, processes, brands, or operations with the intent to create an impression that they are more environmentally friendly than they truly are. This can include unsubstantiated claims like "environment-friendly" or "free from," among others.
Greenwashing is a significant concern as it deceives consumers and goes against the principles outlined in Chapter I of the ASCI code on misleading advertisements.
To address and prevent such deceptive practices, ASCI has introduced guidelines.
These guidelines serve as a framework to ensure that companies adhere to ethical advertising practices and do not breach the principles outlined in Chapter I of the ASCI code.
About Regulations
Absolute Claims: Claims such as “environment-friendly”, “sustainable” etc. must be substantiated by robust data or credible accreditations. Disclaimers or clarifications cannot dilute such claims.
Comparative Claims: Claims like “greener” or “friendlier” should be supported by evidence showing environmental benefits over previous products or competitor products, and the basis of comparison must be clear.
General Environmental Claims: Must be based on the full life cycle of the product or service, unless stated otherwise, and should specify the limits of the life cycle. Misleading claims about the total environmental impact are not allowed.
Specificity of Claims: Advertisers should specify whether the claim refers to the product, packaging, service, or a portion of them, unless it is clear from the context.
“Free-of" Claims: Claims about the absence of environmentally damaging ingredients must not mislead consumers, and disclaimers should be added if necessary. As it may be deceptive to claim that a product is “free-of” a substance if it is free of one substance but includes another that is known to pose a similar or higher environmental risk.
Use of Certifications: If certifications or seals of approval are used, advertisers should clarify what attributes have been evaluated, and the certifying agency should be nationally/internationally accredited.
Visual Elements: Visual elements should not convey a false impression of a product's environmental impact, and the use of logos or colour schemes related to nature should be directly connected to environmental claims. E.g., logos representing a recycling process on packaging and/or in advertising material.
Aspirational Claims: Advertisers should avoid making aspirational claims about future environmental objectives unless they have clear and actionable plans delineating how these objectives will be achieved.
Carbon Offset Claims: Advertisers should disclose if carbon offsets do not occur within the next two years, and they should not imply that a carbon offset represents an emission reduction if it was required by law.
Product Attributes Claims: Claims about composability, biodegradability, recyclability, non-toxicity, etc., should be qualified, and scientific evidence must support these claims.
By regulating and monitoring advertising content, ASCI plays a crucial role in safeguarding consumer interests and promoting truthful and transparent communication in the marketplace. These guidelines about environment related claims are going to be effective from February 15th, 2024.
About Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)
Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) was established in 1985. It serves as a self-regulatory body for the Indian advertising industry.
ASCI's code is an integral part of The Advertising Code enshrined within the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act of 1994, providing it with a legal foundation.
ASCI was formed by representatives from the four pillars of the industry itself
Businesses that sponsor/pay for the advertising.
Ad agencies that conceptualise and give them a form.
Media that carry these ads.
Allied professions such as market research that support the development of communication.
Functions of Advertising Standards Council of India
Monitoring Advertisements: ASCI scrutinizes advertisements across various media types and formats, including TV, print, digital, outdoor, radio, point of sale, and claims made on packaging, among others.
Consumer Protection Collaboration: ASCI collaborates closely with different stakeholders to address matters related to consumer protection in the advertising industry.
Expertise in Advertising Depictions: Leveraging its extensive panel of advertising and technical experts, ASCI has established expertise in evaluating advertising depictions, claims, and representations.
Pre-Production Advisory: Many organisations voluntarily submit their advertisements at a pre-production stage to ASCI, seeking non-binding advice on whether the ad might potentially violate any ASCI code.
Endorser Due Diligence Service: ASCI provides an Endorser Due Diligence service, assisting endorsers in meeting their obligations to ensure that the ads they feature in do not make misleading claims and potentially violate the law.
Complaint Management
ASCI resolves issues in advertisements that relate to
India has the problem of identical brand names being used for different drugs to treat different medical conditions. This issue has been a concern for the medical community for many years. E.g.,
Two different drugs had identical brand names — ‘Linamac’.
‘Linamac 5’ is used to treat multiple myeloma (a type of cancer), the other drug bearing the name ‘Linamac’ is used to treat diabetes.
The problem is not limited to identical names but also extends to similar names that are phonetically and visually similar to each other. E.g.,
‘Medzol’ is a drug used as a sedative.
‘Medpol’ is a brand that sells paracetamol.
‘Medrol’ to sell a corticosteroid.
‘Metrozole’ to sell an antibiotic. These names sound phonetically similar to ‘Medzole’ and also similar to each other, with only a letter or two substituted.
Concerns:
Potential risk to patients: The use of such identical or similar names can lead to confusion and potential harm for patients in India for two reasons.
The packaging of all drugs in India bears the name and prescription advice in the English language, a language spoken by less than 10% of the population.
Indian pharmacies are poorly regulated. Not only do many pharmacies in India routinely dispense drugs without prescriptions, but several also do not comply with the legal requirement to operate only with trained pharmacists who are registered with the Pharmacy Council of India.
These factors increase the possibility of errors in dispensing drugs. Hence, identical or similar sounding brand names of drugs, and the possibility of prescription errors increases even further.
Lackadaisical approach by MoH:
The Supreme Court of India (2001) and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare in its 59th report (2012) urged the Ministry of Health (MoH) to put in place processes to prevent the use of names for drugs that are confusingly similar.
Even the Registrar of Companies and the Office of Registrar of Newspapers for India have systems in place to ensure that no two companies or publications have identical or similar names.
However, the recommendations of the Court and Parliament have largely been ignored by the Ministry of Health.
Lack of database of pharmaceutical brand-names: The Ministry of Health brought in the Drugs and Cosmetics (Thirteenth Amendment) Rules, 2019.
These rules require pharmaceutical companies to provide an “undertaking” to State drug controllers, along with their applications for manufacturing licences, that the brand name of the drug for which they were seeking a manufacturing licence was unlikely to cause “confusion or deception in the market”.
The rules required pharmaceutical companies to carry out a search for similar names in trademarks registry, central database for brand name or trade name of drugs maintained by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), literature and reference books on details of drug formulations in India, and internet.
However, this framework of self-certification did not help as there is no database in India of all pharmaceutical brand-names. The CDSCO would first have to build such a database by collecting data from the 36 different drug controllers in each State and Union Territory.
Further, India has no data on prescription errors. Only after maintaining such a database, the Ministry of Health can start the reform process by replicating mechanisms of regulation such as those that exist in the United States and Europe, to avoid confusion and minimize prescription errors.
Biodiversity prospecting or bioprospecting is the systematic search for biochemical and genetic information in nature in order to develop commercially-valuable products for pharmaceutical, agricultural, cosmetic and other applications.
Bioprospecting is today seen as a crucial tool in developing new drugs which are largely plant derived.
While enriching our lives, the global consensus is that bioprospecting must be a sustainable activity which brings social and economic benefits to local communities.
But it also has a downside: biopiracy — defined as exploiting knowledge and genetic resources of indigenous communities and gaining monopoly over them through patents.
The 2010 Nagoya Protocol on “Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization” is an international agreement aimed at ensuring equitable sharing of benefits.
It also spells out the need for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
India receives ample sunlight throughout the year, making it an ideal location for solar energy production. The country has a high solar irradiation level, particularly in regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Maharashtra.
The share of non-fossil fuel in the total electricity production during the FY 2023-24 (up to May 2023) was 22.45%.
The updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC), India has committed to achieve about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
Further, in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement at COP26, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is working towards achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
As of June 2023, a total of 176.49 GW renewable energy capacity has been installed in the country.
India has an estimated solar power potential of 7,48,990 MW (748 GW). Till December 2023, a cumulative solar power capacity of 73.31 GW has been installed in the country.
Meanwhile, rooftop solar installed capacity is around 11.08 GW as of December 2023.
In terms of total solar capacity, Rajasthan is at the top with 18.7 GW. Gujarat is at the second position with 10.5 GW. When it comes to rooftop solar capacity, Gujarat tops the list with 2.8 GW, followed by Maharashtra by 1.7 GW.
Advantages:
Renewable and Sustainable: Solar energy is a renewable resource, meaning it is inexhaustible and can be replenished naturally.
Reduced Air Pollution: Solar energy generation produces minimal air pollution compared to conventional energy sources like coal.
Reduced Dependence on Fossil Fuels/ Energy Security: By adopting solar energy, India can decrease its dependence on costly and fluctuating fossil fuel imports, enhancing energy security and reducing the trade deficit. This is especially important for a country like India, which is heavily reliant on coal for electricity generation.
Off-Grid Electrification: Solar energy can be used for decentralised and off-grid electrification in remote and rural areas where traditional power infrastructure is challenging to establish. Solar microgrids and standalone solar systems can power homes, schools, and healthcare centres in rural communities, improving their living standards and promoting development. Solar PV technology can be installed at the point of consumption, significantly reducing the need for large capital-intensive transmission infrastructure.
Job creation: The solar energy sector has the potential to create a significant number of jobs, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Solar projects require a workforce for installation, operation, and maintenance.
Challenges:
Solar energy has several challenges, including:
Cost: There is limited financing for residential consumers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who want to install Roof Top Systems. Coupled with lukewarm responses from electricity distribution companies (DISCOMS) to supporting net metering, RTS continues to see low uptake across the country.
Issues in domestic manufacturing capacities:
Domestic manufacturing capacities in the solar sector do not match up to the present potential demand for solar power in the country.
Crisil’s report on the subject highlights that as on March 31, 2021, India had 3 GW capacity for solar cell production and 8 GW for solar panel production capacity. Moreover, backward integration in the solar value chain is absent as India has no capacity for manufacturing solar wafers and polysilicon.
In 2021-22, India imported nearly $76.62 billion worth solar cells and modules from China alone, accounting for 78.6% of India’s total imports that year.
Low manufacturing capacities, coupled with cheaper imports from China have rendered Indian products uncompetitive in the domestic market.
Grid integration: Large solar power plants need to be integrated with the existing grid infrastructure to guarantee efficient and reliable delivery of power to customers. However, incorporating a large solar power plant into the grid can be a complex process as the plant must be able to handle fluctuations in both demand and supply.
Environmental impact: Manufacturing and disposing of solar panels can have an environmental impact.
Solar Waste: By the end of 2030, India will likely produce nearly 34,600 metric tonnes of solar PV waste.
Solar cells are made of silicon, which is made by heating quartz to very high temperatures, releasing a lot of carbon emissions.
Turning metallurgical-grade silicon into polysilicon creates the toxic compound silicon tetrachloride.
Other Challenges:
There have been conflicts with local communities and biodiversity protection norms.
India has achieved record low tariffs for solar power generation in the utility-scale segment, this has not translated into cheaper power for end-consumers.
The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015 by India and France, and came into force in 2017.
It seeks to bring together the countries which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn for harnessing solar energy. The membership of the ISA has now been extended to UN member countries as well (presently 120+ members).
Aim: Global deployment of over 1,000 GW of solar generation capacity and mobilisation of investment of over US$ 1000 billion into solar energy by 2030.
Global Solar Facility (GSF): A fund formed by ISA to stimulate investments into solar power projects.
One Sun One World One Grid: OSOWOG envisions building and scaling a transnational electricity grid to share solar energy across the globe, leveraging the differences of time zones, seasons, resources, and prices between countries and regions.
Secretariat: Gurugram, Haryana.
2. National Solar Mission:
Target: 100 GW of Solar Power by the end of 2022.
Strategy: Solar Park and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects: 40,000 MW of Solar power through 50 Solar Parks (Capacity of 500 MW and Above) + Grid-connected Roof up Solar Program: Target of 40,000 MW. Implemented through DISCOMs.
3. PM-KUSUM scheme:
Setting up of 10,000 MW of Grid-Connected Solar and Other Renewable energy plants on Barren/Uncultivable land –> Sell Power to DISCOMs and earn Income.
Off-Grid Areas: Replacement of diesel agriculture pump sets with 20 lakh Solar Agriculture Pumps –> Reduce the dependence of farmers on diesel and meet their irrigation needs.
Grid-connected Areas: Replacement of diesel agriculture pump sets with 15 lakh Solar Agriculture Pumps –> Use the generated solar power to meet the irrigation needs and the excess solar power will be sold to DISCOMs.
4. Production linked Incentive scheme for manufacturing of high-efficiency solar PV Modules:
Close to 75 per cent of India’s solar power capacity is built on Chinese solar cells and modules. Hence, the PLI scheme is expected to ensure Atma Nirbhar Bharat in the solar energy sector.
5. Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana:
The Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana was announced with the target of installing rooftop solar on 1 crore houses.
It intends to supply power to households through solar rooftop installations while also providing extra money for excess electricity output.
Through the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana, 1 crore families will be given access to rooftop solar energy.
This scheme is meant to help poor and middle-income households lower their electricity bills.
Government’s previous rooftop solar programme
In 2014, the government initiated the Rooftop Solar Programme with the goal of attaining a total installed capacity of 40,000 megawatts (MW) or 40 gigawatts (GW) by 2022.
A watt, a unit of power, is determined as the quantity of energy utilised over time, specifically one Joule per second.
However, this target couldn’t be achieved. As a result, the government extended the deadline from 2022 to 2026. The Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana seems to be a new attempt to help reach the target of 40 GW rooftop solar capacity.
Way Forward:
Financial mechanisms: Governments, utilities, and banks will need to explore innovative financial mechanisms that bring down the cost of loans and reduce the risk of investment for lenders. Increased awareness, and affordable finance for RTS projects could potentially ensure the spread of RTS across the scores of SMEs and homes around the country.
Aggregating roof spaces could also help reduce overall costs of RTS installations and enable developing economies of scale.
Circular economy model:
India should embrace a circular economy model for solar systems. This would allow solar PV waste to be recycled and reused in the solar PV supply chain. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that the global value of recoverable materials from solar PV waste could exceed $15 billion.
India could look at developing appropriate guidelines around Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which means holding manufacturers accountable for the entire life cycle of solar PV products and creating standards for waste recycling. This could give domestic manufacturers a competitive edge and go a long way in addressing waste management and supply side constraints.
Boost International collaboration on issues such as mobilising investments, capacity building, program support and advocacy and analytics on solar energy. Technology sharing and finance could also become important aspects of ISA in the future, allowing for meaningful cooperation between countries in the solar energy sector.
